Down the QB depth chart they go

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This article was published 18/10/2014 (4063 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Memo to: Josh Portis, fourth-string quarterback, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

From: Mike O’Shea

Re: Playing time

Start warming up, son. Based on what has happened over the past couple of weeks, you could very well have next.

Sincerely,

Coach

It’s been that kind of week for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. On a night when the training staff got a workout hustling onto and off the field to tend to the wounded, the most significant injury of all featured quarterback Brian Brohm.

Brohm, who was filling in for Drew Willy — he hurt his hand six days ago in Edmonton — was replaced by Robert Marve who valiantly tried to lead a comeback in a 33-23 loss to the Calgary Stampeders. And the initial diagnosis for Brohm was not good — a suspected broken thumb on his throwing hand.

The Bombers could have Willy back for next week’s game against the B.C. Lions, but with Brohm down, Marve and Portis could also be a couple of snaps away from being the next to line up behind centre.

When asked after the loss if Willy would be ready for the Lions, O’Shea said:

“I think he will but, once again, I’ll give him another day or two to see him throw and see how he is. Knowing Drew, he’ll definitely say he’s good to go.”

Brohm looked comfy at the Bomber controls.

His first two passes were incompletions, but he rebounded to complete 14 of 23 passes for 194 yards with no TDs or interceptions before injuring the thumb with just over eight minutes left in the third quarter.

It was his first pro start in four years, since leading the Buffalo Bills against the New York Jets at the end of the 2010 NFL season. And now this.

“He loves the game,” said O’Shea. “They all sign up for this and they know the risk/reward. On a personal level… I don’t think Brian Brohm’s going to feel sorry for himself. He’s professional. He’s not going to wallow in any self-pity. He’s going to be there to support his teammates.”

Marve, the former Miami and Purdue starter, came in and completed five of 10 passes for 64 yards while also rushing five times for 36 yards.

“I thought both Brian and Robert Marve did well,” said O’Shea. “They had a different energy in the huddle. Brian has a calm sense about him and gives guys confidence, and Robert’s got a different energy, which makes guys think in a different way. But both of them can be effective.”

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPEdTait